Hearing that “print is dying” or “direct mail is not effective” because of the emergence of digital advertising spaces and the speed of social media is an uncreative thought. With preparation and planning, print can very well benefit from the digital world. Take Augmented Reality paired with digital printing. A digital world and a physical print world, working together to create a unique, personalized message for the consumer.

Augmented Reality, or AR, is a technology that will allow the user to view an enhanced “real world” view, connecting creative content with the user. AR is not a new technology. It has been used in TV, video games and film. AR can have a huge impact on print adverts and marketing campaigns, sometimes referred as “interactive print”. With Augmented Reality, people can scan an image with their smartphone or tablet to add an extra layer of information – whether it’s videos, audio clips, images or even links – directly on top of the printed piece.

Publications, like Elle and Maxim magazine, are using AR technology to provide interactive content for their readers. A recent article published by WSJ.com, talks about how Augmented Reality is gaining traction among recognized brands like Pepsi and Heinz.

At DOME, we can help our clients produce AR campaigns. Whether it is a cross media campaign, a printed large format item (like backlit posters and point-of-purchase items), or a direct mail piece, the ability to expand your message with interactive technology is endless.

What are your feelings about Augmented Reality? Do you feel like it is a gimmick or is it the next great form of cross media advertising? Comment below with your thoughts and check out our personal favorites when it comes to Augmented Reality and Print.

DOME is cutting through the postal red tape and introducing a system called, Seamless Acceptance. Seamless Acceptance is a new streamline and automated acceptance, verification, payment and induction into the United States Postal Service® (USPS®) system. What does this mean? We have the knowledge and expertise to help move your mail pieces into the system faster; efficiently getting your pieces into the consumers’ mailbox. DOME is proud to be the first on the west coast to adopt Seamless Acceptance from the United States Postal Service®.

Here’s a little background on what it means to become a Seamless Acceptance mail provider. In order to be accepted, a company must do two things.

1. Use an Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb)

2. Be a certified full service mailer.

3. Submit documentation electronically.

DOME has been using Intelligent Mail Full-Service since 2009. Full-service requires us to use a unique IMb on mail pieces, handling units, and containers. It also requires us to submit our documents electronically to PostalOne!® before the mail enters the mail stream. Seamless Acceptance was put in place to speed along the process.

90% of DOME’s current mail production require us to submit eDocs to PostalOne!®. With our expertise and knowledge of Direct Mail and other mail services, we no longer need a mail clerk to authorize our pieces before they enter the mail stream. Some common issues with the old regular acceptance method include: an inconsistent experience, acceptance delays the mail induction, and a manual, time-consuming mail verification. With Seamless Acceptance, the United States Postal Service® certifies that DOME’s well training staff is allowed automate the verification process by comparing our system data to the electronic documentation, as the mail pieces move through the mail stream.

In short, with DOME’s new implementation of Seamless Acceptance, you’re projects will get submitted into the mail stream faster and with fewer hiccups. Not only do we have the training, knowledge and expertise to automate the verification process, but we have the support confidence of the USPS backing us up.

DOME has given a whole new meaning to the “One-Stop-Shop”. What other printer do you know is allowed to become their own USPS postal clerk?